NIOS CLASS 10 PAINTING CHAPTER-5 RENAISSANCE

 

Chapter :5

RENAISSANCE

INTEXT QUESTIONS 5.1

(a) What is shown in the picture “Birth of Venus” by Botticelli?

Ans: Sandro Botticellipainted Birth of Venusin about 1486. This painting shows one of the best examples of rebirth of classical motifs inspired by 2nd century ancient Greek masterpieces. The painting depicts the classical goddess 'Venus'emerging from the water on shell.

(b) What does Venus symbolize in this painting?

Ans: It shows Venus emerging from sea. The figure symbolizes beauty and truth. The anatomy of venus is elongated. She bears slim and long limbs.

(c) What is the nature of the anatomy of Venus?

Ans: The anatomy of Venus does not display the strict classical real- ism, as she is shown with elongated neck and her left shoulder slopes at unusual angle. She bears slim and long limbs. The cool artificial light adds soft harmonious beauty to the painting.

(d) What is the nature of light in this painting?

Ans: The fourth chapter of the NIOS class 10 painting practical file explores ritualistic folk arts like Patachitra, Pichuai, Alpana, and Kolam. 

INTEXT QUESTIONS 5.2

(a) Write on the different areas in which Vinci contributed.

Ans: Leonardo da Vinci was a renowned artist, inventor, engineer, and scientist during the Renaissance. He was best known for his paintings, including:

·        Mona Lisa: (c. 1503–19)

·        Last Supper: (1495–98)

·        Vitruvian Man: (c. 1490)

His works are considered masterpieces that continue to inspire and influence artists today. Da Vinci's innovative ideas and designs were ahead of his time, creating new concepts and machines like the hydraulic pump.

Da Vinci's contributions to painting include:

·        Understanding linear perspective

·        Integrating light and shadow

·        Understanding anatomy

(b) Why is Mona Lisa appreciated so much?

Ans: The Mona Lisa is a very realistic portrait painted by Leonardo da Vinci. It is one of the most famous and valuable paintings in the world.

Here are some reasons why the Mona Lisa is appreciated:

Artistic technique

The Mona Lisa uses sfumato, an artistic technique that uses subtle gradations of light and shadow to model form.

Landscape

The painting depicts a vast landscape behind the portrait, including icy mountains, a valley, and a curved river.

Vision

The painting reflects Leonardo's vision to connect humanity with nature.

Structure

Leonardo used a pyramid structure, where the woman's collapsed hands structure the base.

History

The painting has a storied history, including being owned by French royalty for centuries and briefly adorning Napoleon's bedroom.

Valuation

The painting is valued at $970 million, making it the world's costliest painting.

(c) What is the background of this painting?

Ans: The background of the Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicts a vast landscape with an icy mountain, valley, and curved river. The landscape reflects Leonardo's vision to connect humanity with nature.

The riverscape in the Mona Lisa is the confluence of the Senatello and Marecchia rivers in the former Duchy of Urbino. Research in 2008 revealed that the landscape was similar to some views in the Montefeltro region in the Italian provinces of Pesaro and Urbino, and Rimini.

The Mona Lisa is a portrait of a young woman with a mysterious smile. The painting is a visual representation of the idea of happiness suggested by the word "gioconda" in Italian. The nature of the landscape also plays a role.

(d) What is the medium of painting Mona Lisa?

INTEXT QUESTIONS 5.3

(a) What is the theme of ‘Pieta’?

Ans: The theme of Pieta is "Pity or Compassion". It depicts Mary sorrowfully contemplating the dead body of her son Jesus on her lap after the Crucifixion. The sculpture was commissioned by a French Cardinal living in Rome.

Pieta is an important work of art because it balances the Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism. The figures have emotion and appear human rather than idealized. The beauty of the figures of Mary and Christ were meant to reflect God's glory and beauty.

(b) How many figures are used in the sculpture “Pieta”? Name the characters in this sculpture.

Ans: The sculpture Pieta by Michelangelo features two figures: the Virgin Mary and her son, Jesus Christ. The sculpture shows Mary cradling Jesus in her lap after he has been taken down from the cross. It shows Mary's grief as well as her youth and purity.

The Pieta is a theme in Christian art that depicts the Virgin Mary supporting the body of the dead Christ. Some representations of the Pieta include John the Apostle, Mary Magdalene, and sometimes other figures on either side of the Virgin. However, the great majority show only Mary and her Son.

The Pieta was Michelangelo's first masterpiece. It was a special work of art even in the Renaissance because at the time, multi-figured sculptures were rare. The two figures are carved so as to appear in a unified composition which forms the shape of a pyramid.

(c) Write the basic structure of “Pieta”.

Ans: In art, the term "structure" refers to the arrangement and mutual relation of the parts of a body, object, or composition. It also refers to the relation of parts, and to the relative proportions of the component elements.

"Pieta" is a Gothic painting that is considered an Early Renaissance work. It was painted by Michelangelo.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 5.4

(a) Mention the characteristic features of Rembrandt's painting.

Ans: Some characteristic features of Rembrandt's paintings include:

·        Chiaroscuro: A dramatic use of contrasting light and shadows

·        Small palette of colors: Dominated by dark earth tones and golden highlights

·        Experimental brushwork

·        Contrasts between light and dark

·        Lush realism

·        Depth, emotion, and movement

(b) Write on the theme of “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt.

Ans: It is a group portrait of a company of civic guardsmen. The primary purpose of these guardsmen was to serve as defenders of their cities. As such, they were tasked with guarding gates, policing streets, putting out fires, and generally maintaining order throughout the city.

(c) What does this painting illustrate?

Ans: The Night Watch is a painting by Rembrandt van Rijn that was completed in 1642. It is a group portrait of a militia company, also known as the Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq. The painting depicts the company moving out, led by Captain Frans Banninck Cocq and his lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburch.

The painting is famous for three things:

·        Its colossal size (363 cm × 437 cm (11.91 ft × 14.34 ft))

·        The dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism)

·        The perception of motion in what would have traditionally been a static military group portrait

(d) When was the varnish removed from the surface of this painting?

Ans

·         Mertens decided to strip many layers of varnish from a painting after World War II

·        A painting in the Renaissance section of NIOS has a question about when the varnish was removed from its surface

TERMINAL EXERCISES

1. What do you mean by the word ‘Renaissance’? Explain the main features of his period?

Ans: Renaissance means “Rebirth”. It was a revival of classical culture of Europe, continued from 14th to 17th C. Specially art developed in this period with the help of famous artists like Vinci, Michael Angelo and Raphael. Painted by early renaissance painter Botticelli.

2. How ‘Venus’ is being represented in the painting ‘Birth of Venus’?

Ans: The painting depicts the classical goddess 'Venus'emerging from the water on shell. The nude goddess is a representation not of earthly but spiritual love. She arrives as a full grown woman, symbolizing beauty and truth.

3. Describe the painting ‘Mona Lisa’?

Ans: The Mona Lisa is a 16th-century portrait painted in oil by Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance in Florence, Italy. The painting is also known as La Gioconda or La Joconde.

Here are some details about the painting:

·        The Mona Lisa bears a strong resemblance to many Renaissance depictions of the Virgin Mary.

·        The woman sits upright in a "pozzetto" armchair with her arms folded, a sign of her reserved posture.

·        Her gaze is fixed on the observer.

·        Many people think Mona Lisa's smile is mysterious.

·        The painting was painted between 1503 and 1519.

·        It was owned by French royalty for centuries.

·        Liberated by Revolutionary forces, the painting briefly adorned Napoleon's bedroom, then was installed in the Louvre.

4. Write a short note on the sculpture ‘Pieta’?

Ans: The word Pietà means pity or compassion. It is a sculpture that depicts the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Jesus Christ on her lap. The subject of the Pietà originated in Germany in the mid-13th century and spread to Italy in the early Renaissance.

One of the most famous Pietà sculptures is by Michelangelo Buonarroti. It was created in 1498-1499 and is located in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The sculpture shows Mary seated on a rock, holding the dead body of Jesus Christ on her lap. Jesus is depicted as a young man, with his head resting on Mary's shoulder. Mary's face is turned away from Jesus, and her eyes are closed. She is wearing a long cloak and a veil that covers her head and shoulders.

5. Describe the painting ‘Night Watch’?

Ans: The Night Watch is a painting by Rembrandt van Rijn that was completed in 1642. It depicts a captain of the guard leading his lieutenant and uniformed ranks. The painting is notable for its size (12 feet by 14 feet), its use of light and shadows, and the sense of movement in what would have traditionally been a stationary military group portrait.

The painting depicts 34 characters, only 18 of which are portraits of actual people. The remaining figures are symbolic, such as the young girl in yellow, who is the allegorical emblem of the guard.

The painting was coated with a dark varnish for much of its existence, which gave the incorrect impression that it depicted a night scene. This led to the name by which it is now commonly known.